Energy efficient light bulbs

[Flattlander]

I just found out that these energy efficient light bulbs, which are flourescent light bulbs contain mercury. So I understand that they should be disposed of carefully and not put in the trash, but you can find out if there are better options by going to Earth 911 » Making Every Day Earth Day, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, Green Lifestyle and puting in your zipcode. But I'm wondering how risky they are to have in your house, like if they break or something. In fact I just had one that broke, and I didn't even know it until I took it out of the lamp, and discovered why it wasn't working. So, should I be worried?

[Chip Shorter]

I just found out that these energy efficient light bulbs, which are flourescent light bulbs contain mercury. So I understand that they should be disposed of carefully and not put in the trash, but you can find out if there are better options by going to Earth 911 » Making Every Day Earth Day, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, Green Lifestyle and puting in your zipcode. But I'm wondering how risky they are to have in your house, like if they break or something. In fact I just had one that broke, and I didn't even know it until I took it out of the lamp, and discovered why it wasn't working. So, should I be worried?

Unless you ingested mercury its probably no big deal. I certanly would be cautious if the glass itself ruptured but the small amount probably wont harm you. I think they don't want millions of these compact flouresent bulbs lurking in landfills leaking mercury into the water as its real bad for fish and us if we eat them which is the most likley source for mecury poisoning in humans. Mercury used to be everywhere like thermostats, thermometers, switches etc and was also called quicksilver. As for disposing some bulbs have a number you can call on the packaging. As for danger in the home its something to keep in mind but I don't think its as dangerous as long as its disposed of properly and used properly. I think these are a stopgap solution until LED lights come down in price. At night I light my house up for with the compact flouresent bulbs inside and out for just one ampere of electrical power so some benifit is there to using them versus old edison type bulbs.

[adam ant]

ironically the parts for LED lights are only pennies apiece, but they have to be constructed by hand, no way of automation yet.
if you can solder, you can make them for cheap.

[amigo]

I would not just so readily dismiss the cautions of mercury contained in a CF bulb, regardless of the quantity present. By this analogy we should just dismiss the fact that a handful of Plutonium dispersed from the orbit could wipe the entire Biosphere on this planet, because it's such a small quantity?

If a bulb breaks in your home and ends up on your carpet, according to some texts I've read, it's literaly a mini eco-disaster. People are told to close the room and call EPA or one of the minor bodies that will perform the decontamination, and all that will end up costing the home owners.

If something is toxic, in any amount, it should be taken with great care. Mercury is a neuro-toxin and its effects are widely known, yet we still use it because it is "convenient for the industry" or whoever. After all they don't seem to care about health of our families as long as it gets them higher profit margins and savings in manufacturing...